I'm thinking must not be that good or there would be a commercial bait with this added. Any thoughts?

Bacon grease will attract yotes. Beware! It will attract everything else.

Once again many basic odors, complex and /or food by products all will catch some animals. I wouldn't use it at every set or every location but you can catch curious and opportunistic animals if they find it. Some may have interest others not so much.

If it is all that you have to use give it some exposure for a week or so trapping and document your results compared to other lures or baits.

Of course all this info will depend on how much and the type of traffic that comes by.

Make some of lazurus;s bacon bait and find out the power of bacon.

Pound a smooth stake 10-12" in some sandy soil and then fill up the hole with bacon grease. Come back in a week. Or better yet, set a couple of trail cameras on it. You will learn the power of bacon. As Mr. Jameson said, it attracts everything, but canines in the fall find it irresistible.

FYI don't do this test in a field road unless you like getting kicked off of a property! I've had I" holes 6" deep turn into 10" holes knee deep

I am think of mix some with some beaver meat and taint it and then use it .Any ideas from anyone one this .

That's basically what I was going to do. I have some homemade bait that is a few years old and does good on its own but thought maybe some bacon grease would kick it up a notch.

Laz, I knew you did great on grey fox with your bacon bait but wasn't sure how the coyotes reacted to it. Real good it sounds like. Lol

As stated above I am afraid of attracting too many undesirable critters also but if is that good on coyotes it would be worth it.

I do not worry about what else it brings in. Once they are taken out then you will get what you want after, that is where more then one set in a area will work the best. I not sure if I will grind up the meat or just cut it in chunks .

Try this. Dig a bait hole and fill with bacon bait or bacon grease. Then go back away from it 50 -200 feet downwind from the bait and make some subtle flat sets with just a dropping, or tiny bit of urine, or some coyote water. The other critters will be focused on the food, but coyotes by their nature are going to mill around, pace, zig and zag, etc. They will ALWAYS approach the bait from the down wind side and find those subtle flat sets that the other critters will pass by on their way to get the good stuff.

One of the benefits of the bacon bait/grease is that it is slurpy so it leeches into the soil. That's the reason the critters dig and dig like some of the other guys have said. With a chunk bait, once one critter gets the chunk out of the hole, it loses a lot of its attraction.

So it is best to grind up the meat then . Is that what your advice is then ? I just looking for different ides and what will be working the best .I know need to keep the animal as long as possible

Yes, grind. And don't worry if your bait is a bit soupy.

Ok thank you for letting me know. and your help.

Here you go. Good stuff, easy enough Missourians can even make it

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3378883/bait-making-bait

P.S. Still laugh everytime I read the 1st 2 comments

Bubba’s chicken fried chicken grease.




It’s what’s for dinner.

There you go Rich proof don't get any better than that. It's even in TX. LOL

What about bobcats in the winter?

ITS MURDER ON FERAL CATS

Dad made a pre-bait that used old fryer oil he picked up from restaurants as the base ingredient. He added castor, and some other ingredients and the digging response was similar. He sold many gallons of that stuff over the years.

lol paul that was mentioned in his lure and bait evaluation book as well! That's what sparked my interest in bacon grease

Ya it might help put a shine on their coat too. Those Texas coyotes need all the help they can get. Lol

Now that's interesting, if it's attractive to those cats then it should be good on those other cats too.

R.p id like to think it will work good on bobbys! But I don't believe it to be a bait problem as much as the guy applying it! Cats are my one true struggle! I can catch them by accident, but ive only ever caught one in a cat specific set. all others were in k-9 sets. Lol the ferals on the bacon bait were cat specific sets just wrong kind of cat!

Here's my suggestion.

Go to your mom and pop type restaurant And I guess any fast food joint would also work.And have them save all their grill scrapping's and their fryer oil. Now you will have meat scrapes and fish scrapes If they do Friday night fish fry's. Take the grease and set It out In the hot sun. The fines will rise to the top and you will have a nice thin oil pour that off and that can be used In many different ways. First one that comes to mind Is a trailing scent. Then what you have left Is the heavy grease that has all the good stuff In It.

I just picked up 5 gallons of fryer oil today. The gal asked if I wanted more. I said sure, when will you have more? She said for a while she has to change it out daily. So I will have grease coming out my ears. Should make a great trailing scent or bait station. Stop by if anyone wants any.

the thought of trailing scent or chumm opens up a few ideas

I just finish ground up some beaver meat now and just need to put the bacon grease in it after. I wonder how much I should put in it after I have tainted the meat any ides?

unless someone on here has throughly tested the combination of those two Ingredients and wanted to share you would just be getting someone's opinion. Without testing you wouldn't even know if adding those two together in any combination would be an improvement over one of them by themself.
I would start by testing the two side by side in multiple locations until you can decide if one gets more attention than the other. Take the preferred one and add a little of the other and test the best ingredient beside the two combined and start building from there. Then you will have learned what the animals like best.

Ok thank you for your advice

Real good!!! As an add or by itself. Tracie's formula is rock solid to catch and draw. So is his flat set idea! They just gotta pee on something.

X2.

It may lure in a bear though if one isn't careful.

I use beaver meat since I trap them anyways so that is why I use the meat beside the tails I make oil from. I just looking for a change up for the mix. also different smells. Pork and beaver have there own smell. If it works for who ever then go for it .I rather eat the bacon then use it for make bait.So that is why I looking to use the grease. Also if one dose eat beaver they are not as fatty as pork..The main fat is on the skin.And yes I did made a mix with that also.My coydog love it ,when he smells it . But not let him eat it .Use it for the coyotes. He get his own food.

I believe that is almost correct, but a lot say because the books and videos say so. That's "almost" like rubber stamping a bait and have never even used it, but jumped on the band wagon because everyone else says it's the holy grail. The crystal ball says the only true testament to what you ask is to test it and find out. "Almost " like a wasted trip into the woods if one is wondering how effective a bait ingredient would be to animals when you're already out there attempting to trap or scout the animals you're after, then ask for results from other folks experience. Hundreds to thousands of "elite" recipes on the net taken from books, videos, people and the greats? Animals taking the same trapping instruction classes and watching the same bait and lure videos?

I have not tried that bait but I cant help but think that combo of fat and honey is definitely a high energy combination. it ought to work

Imo the biggest draw to the bacon bait is the high fat content. I think we can all agree when fall rolls around the animals are looking for any food that will build energy, (protein)and fat to get them through winter. Is there anything out there that is higher in fat content than fat itself? Only thing I can think of is bone marrow, is that fat or protein? Anyone ever try the meat saw bone dust from a locker plant? That would have meat, fat, bone and marrow in it, then if you really wanted to get wild you could add the bacon grease to it.

This is why paying attention to the diet and behavior of the animals you target pays off. Cuts out all the extra BS when it comes to bait and lure and in return puts more fur in your traps. It is entertaining to watch folks jump through hoops to come up with the masterpiece.

If you wanted to test the theory about the fat being the draw you could take some straight pork lard but it in one hole and in a second hole close by put some cooked bacon meat (remove as much fat from the meat as you can) and see which hole gets worked harder. My money would be on the meat.

Fat doesn't build fat. It all gets burned as energy not stored. Same with meat. At least in humans from everything I read. Honey can be converted to fat if calories are not needed. I'm no vet or DR but I know in cold weather a warm blooded animal needs a lot of calories to produce body heat. Even a warm blooded animal with fur. I bet that bacon odor we humans all like is carried a long ways even in cold weather, even after more fat and honey is added.

Like I said I have not tried that one but I just can't imagine it not catching whatever finds it most of the time.

That's not true at all. Fat is full of calories. Calories are either burned or stored as fat. Why do you think people watching their weight eat leaner cuts of meat and avoid fat? I've skinned a lot of mighty fat coyotes. The reason they were fat is because they sought out and ate food that had a high calorie content. What didn't get burned turned to fat. I would have to assume they got fat during the summer when hunting was good and they moved very little. Coyotes are gluttons year around, but especially in the fall and winter. Imo that's why most baits do so well after most of the prey base is gone and they still want to eat, eat ,eat.

Spot on RP

RPMartin you word it the best ,When not active fat show up. then when active. The body can only burn so much of the fat for how active the body is no matter what.
.

your body can not make fat without carbohydrates

Stick to driving truck and let Jessie James Decker explain body weight. LOL

A coyote is hyperactive they burn alot of energy all the time ,that is why they need a hi protein diet. My coydog he is just that hyperactive and I feed him a high protein food,other wise his health is not where it should be .

rp is correct. Look at the girl lost for 2 weeks. Lost 15-20 pounds living on berries and grass.

What happened to lacing up the boots and getting ya grind on in the field to build success?

Nothing happened to it. What's wrong with with getting people's results, opinions and ideas before the testing begins? A guy could pick up a good tip or idea to try. I thought that was part of the reason for this forum, to ask questions and bounce ideas off one another. Besides most of my trapping takes place out of state so I don't know how the coyotes will react until I put it in front of them.

Here's a question sense we are on the subject, if I test a bait here in Wisconsin during the summer what are the chances I will get the same reaction in Texas during the winter??

Spot on your reasoning as to why we have these forums RP.

Go for It I can't see why a Texas coyote wouldn't hit on a lure/bait combo tested In WI. I'm pretty sure Paul didn't test Back Breaker In every state before It went on the market.

Coyotes reactions do very from winter to summer but I'm learning just as much testing in warm weather as when testing in fall and winter. I will say just dont fail a lure based off the results you get in the summer.

That's a good point beav. To many variables in regional testing to pin down an accurate assessment. When things dry out here I will try to do some testing.

One thing about summer you should consider is that some baits can get eaten by insects pretty fast.

Good point.

[quote=rpmartin]Nothing happened to it. What's wrong with with getting people's results, opinions and ideas before the testing begins? A guy could pick up a good tip or idea to try. I thought that was part of the reason for this forum, to ask questions and bounce ideas off one another. Besides most of my trapping takes place out of state so I don't know how the coyotes will react until I put it in front of them.

Here's a question sense we are on the subject, if I test a bait here in Wisconsin during the summer what are the chances I will get the same reaction in Texas during the winter??

That is what I been wonder also RP ,if no one to get others opinions and ideas before testing and try to lean something what others have found out . I take what good is it for this forum also.

"fascinating" well good luck. Do enough testing and you will find out the answer very quickly.

Ideas and opinions are great, but you have to have a little common sense when implementing them into the field. Not brain surgery when it comes time to attract animals.

Wow, I guess you have it all figured out then. Why don't you just run along so some of us that aren't god's gift to bait making can continue to stumble along.

No sir, I don't have it all figured out, but I also don't believe in magic. What I do have figured out works and works well for the animals I trap or need to attract.

I put many hours into field testing and observing animal reaction/responses to many different ingredients, as could you and then you could have your own observation on how well something works or not. All I'm saying is that if one really wants to know what will work for them, they should field test so they could have their own results vs what works for everyone else which is a no-brainer, not gods gift.

I've never tested bait or lure in the off season before so that was another question I have. When there is so much food in the warmer months it seems it would be harder to get a reaction from a bait than certain lures.

Good point about the ants. That would be another benefit of using the bacon grease or fryer oil. I would have to guess using either one of those would cut down on the ant problem. Or why not mix the fryer oil with the bacon grease together for the best of both worlds. Lol I wish coon were worth more.

BION , Carroll Black had a bacon grease Compound made up design a few years before he become sick and Sold A Good Bit of it , Until things become bad for him , +Carry On Blackie ...........................................................

Scott Welch may or may not have continued that Bacon Grease Mix Up for Blackie's Blend Line after he took over after Carroll passed away .

You can check at www.blackiesblend.com and look through Scott's Line Up ,

Scott may still 'Carry It On' for Carroll , Or you could Call Scott and ask him about what happen to it , I'd have to look it up in an Old catalog Carroll gave me years ago , the Name Blackie gave it not sure off hand .

I know the wild life mainly coyote will react to some lures and baits at different time of the year. Ask your ADC trappers. So what one will see will work in the summer dose not mean will work in the trapping season. First is the way the family group is because of the pups that is being brought up and the area that they have. On hot summer days they do not work like they do in the trapping season because of food is easyer for them to get then the fall and winter.

Kinda makes sense when you see people typing to "test year round and often". It's not sarcasm, it's true if you want to build an effective bait.

The quote below could be and I believe is a false statement depending on your definition of "work". Lets not forget the meaning and what bait and lure are meant for and are supposed to do for the trapper and the responsibilities of the trapper and their role when using bait and lure which seems by the many threads people do. The OP already typed he doesn't test in the off season....Why not?

If someone isn't interested in making bait I could see the disconnect, but if someone is asking for thoughts on a subject and is interested in bait and lure why aren't you already trying to figure out the animals interests? There is no off season and animals don't take a break from eating and "investigating" different odors.

Bait should appeal to the animal year round by offering "variety" to that animal. It's your job to learn to interpret and implement "variety" which involves a whole lotta time and effort. You can get canines to hit on bait that offers variety during spring, summer fall and winter, they will even work bait during the breeding season. Ingredients and their portion should manipulate and dictate their response, it does around here anyway. Ask me how do I know that? I put in work to find out what turns these animals wheels and find through trial and error how to keep their interest and do it without the blessing of 30 to 40 years in a bottle or by any other myth or superstition. You may be dealing with animals that only attract to magic hats though, the animals around here haven't attended the trapping colleges yet.

Things don't always work and you are right, same thing can be said about the "commercial" products that are specifically designed for the trapping season by the guys in the magic hats. If the quote is accurate, why aren't the bait and lures that are "for the trapper made by trappers" the holy grail and working for them in the season they are supposed to be at their best? Why are those folks on trapping forums asking for "the best" bait and lure still when they have multiple bottles of "commercial" bait and lure already? Making your own bait allows you to determine what goes in and what doesn't and the only way to find the answer is to test.

It doesn't matter if the personality on a forum says they trap 1000 coyotes a year on bacon grease, I can guarantee you that you wont. The answers will never change to the questions that roll through a thread on a forum when it pertains to bait and lure and wild unpredictable animals.

it goes back to what russ carmen said

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/atkins-diet-101

here is an article about how your body produces and stores fat. your body can and does burn fat you eat as energy. it is a high calorie food. it just cant be stored. the fat on bobcats is the result of carbs in the digestive tract of prey. its why they have so little. coyotes on the other hand eat anything edible. as winter goes on into spring you see less and less fat on them. a straight meat diet in the collection pen makes them pee more as their body is forced to burn fat and excrete it in urine. after about 3 weeks urine production falls way off. most all pet food contains corn and or rice. its why pets get fat so easily.

ive tested the pork lard vs bacon grease. the bacon wins consecutively! Chicken fryer oil comes in a close second. hamburger grease is neck and neck. But it does sour rather quick

There are a lot of different levels of trappers, bait buyers and bait makers on here. Some just starting out to pros like yourself. I wouldn't consider myself a bait maker. I have meat scraps that I added the boss's bait solution to and works good but thought about adding a little bacon grease to it. So yes I wanted input from folks who have tried bacon grease and what they thought of it. Then you came along with your self righteous condescending attitude and bam here we are.

I looked at your bait lineup. Why so many different kinds, and why only in 4oz or 8oz?? So which one of your baits would be the best on my line??

RP
I've learned to expect it and ignore it if that helps you.

That's true if you are on a low carb diet. I'm talking about wild coyotes not people or penned coyotes. From the information I found some fat is good but too much can be turned into fat.

All I know is I skinned some really fat coyotes, how they got that fat I don't know.

A lot (not all) of the damage to field corn is coyotes not coons or deer. They will about eat any fruit. Mulberries, plums, pawpaws,, apples, hackberries, prickly pear fruit, raspberries, wild strawberries, even cantaloupe and watermelon. Fat because of its high caloric content when eaten with say field corn, will cause all the corn to be converted into body fat. Eating just corn will cause some to be stored as fat. Its why we finish feed hogs and cattle with it.

Thanks for that, didn't see it in his line up. Will have to give him a call.

I'm no pro and even the "pros" bait and lure sit on shelves with no success for the individual that is using it. You can spin it how you'd like to. Fact is...there is no higher power when it comes to making bait, the animals either like it and respond to it or they don't. If you are making bait then you're "bait making". People can ignore it and continue to believe in that bs and sit to oouuhhhhh and awwww and whatever else they do when it comes to bait and lure, but I for one opened my eyes a long time ago to animal activity and what is more likely to get them popping and responding to bait and lure. What I use and make works and works well for me and the intended animals respond well to it. You can go and order your catalogs and read anything you want, I can assure you that if you can't comprehend it to put two and two together in the field regarding "animal and interest". You will continue to waste money on all the new latest and greatest ingredients out there, and you'll continue to read countless pages of forum archives and continue to ask "what is the best......". Bait and lure archives don't explain animal behavior, diets and what those animals need during the year to prepare them for the following season, that falls on you.. Your results are determined by how much energy you put into it.

I'm not one to sit back, I'm a go gettah. If I want to achieve something I will do my best to get to that point regardless of how many times I fall down. Ya need thick skin in the world we live in.

Again how hard is it to make a bait, lace up your boots and punch 1/2 to 3/4 holes, slap a cam up, run traps or not and observe? Whether they dig a 4 foot hole or an 8 inch hole, the only objective your bait and lure have are to get that animal to that location and "work" your set. If you need that animal to dig a 4 foot hole then you have other things going on, it isn't the bait and lure. Sir you have a wonderful evening and good luck!

Coyotes and most Canids and felines become lethargic during hot Summer weather months , mostly snacking on odd prey , the raising of the young are the reasons they Collect rabbits and turkeys and anything in between . there like an old hobo with an umbrella over there body they do not eat very much themselves , they drink lots of water . They lay up in the coolest seclude darn place they can find .

Collecting food for there pups rearing during the heat of Spring & hot Summer is The Most Important Mission of The Pack to the Coyotes / Canids . Them little critters need A lot of Food to grow up for late August / September killing training sessions with The Pack that certainly includes there parents Alpha Female Alpha Male and the Adults of The Pack .

Raccoons are opposite unless rabid , they eat no matter what , a Raccoon climbing out of a trash barrel or dumpster late at night is a normal chow event , they are leaving The Diner Fast Food establishment LOL

Opossums are the same as buzzards , they will eat at any heat range ,,, flock of buzzards chowing down on cow deer ANY carcass on a 105 degree day just Smiling at you as you approach them they like to to puke on ya' if you get to close , messy clothes to explain to Mama . LOL

you'll find in different regions Coyotes / Canids, even in desert terrain where it cools at night and the scorpions fight they do not eat very much preying on lizards and odd prey. they lay up in the coolest darn place they can find .

TDHP, not all of us have as much time as you to test everything so methodically.

Sir, I run trap checks, setting up and working adc jobs 7 days a week on top of working a 4 & 2 tied in with doubles for road details, not to mention family time. Them 2 days off consist of picking up OT and details as well. I still find time to get in the woods and test something I rely on to trap the critters I'm after. Some make excuses and then there are the people who just do it and get it done.

The question shouldn't be "So which one of your baits would be the best on my line?" The real question is do you have the ability to set yourself up for success in the field to trap the animal you seek? Location, population, skill...the list goes on when it comes time for the role of the trapper. The other question would be, if you purchased a "commercial" bait solution and it works for you.

Why would you want to add things to it? Is it really working as well as you think? Or just trying to be creative? Time is money on the line and on adc jobs. If I'm using something and it is putting fur in my traps, there is no need to change the dynamics of the formula just cause..I may be wrong though, seems like the common theme when it comes to bait and lure.

lol, I believe the owner to the site allows the links, as many of the members add their links to the signature. If you want me to remove it just ask or have him do so. Legend ? nah not even close, I just don't believe in all the jazz that many do when it comes to bait and lure, I know it takes more than an ingredient to be successful in the field. My man, I don't need you to buy anything from me, It doesn't bother me. Still doesn't change the facts on how easy it is to attract an animal if you put the time and energy into it. I don't think the owners of those sites are"idiots" at all, but I know you don't need to purchase any commercial bait to trap animals.That's the difference.

Edit- Fixed it,removed the animal attractants.

TDHP

Tdhp, could you please do us a favor and just relax just a little bit? If your not supporting your family solely on your lure and bait business than you really should just be able to just chill out a little take a deep breath and have a little fun with thinking about new and different ways to mess with Wiley. Unwind just a little bit and I think things could be more productive in our future conversations. You obviously have a ton of hard earned information from your bait and lure observations that most of is wish we had, but the bottom line is we don't and never took it to the level that you have. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is please cut us a little slack and have some patience with me/us.

Russ Carmen
Musk Mystery and Misconceptions
The Lure makers Guide

Soooo... . What do you all think about using bacon grease for coyotes?

Seems like a waste of good bacon grease.

I'm always chillaxed when I'm on the net. If only you could see how I'm chilling in my office chair typing this post. This is pure entertainment for me, I leave the seriousness for work. I wish ya luck though, hope you get to get out into the field and really put your ideas to work.

I have to ask, who are these magic hat guys you speak of?

The magic hats are the folks who can sprinkle high powered magic powder in a bait that will enhance the bait so much it will call in animals even if they aren't there. Only they possess the power to turn an "OK" bait into a magnificent bait that is irresistible to any and all animals to the point they will not walk by without "investigating" its odor.

Grease is great, all the critters will trade in their fur for it.

Carmens Hawbakers Ogorman Dobbins just to name a few. Why screw around with something you know nothing about buy what's been tested and has a excellent track record.

I know I know It's what trappers do but some of this stuff Is just way over the top In my opinion.

I use bacon grease In punch holes along the banks for coon I slap a hand full on bridge abutments. I fill my DPs with It I squirt some down dirt holes I smear some on visual attractor's. A jerky gun works really great for applying the grease.

Lots of uses for bacon grease but It's not rocket science.

I agree it's not rocket science but it sure is enjoyable to put in the work and come up with something is better than average.

I hate it when those magic hats are constantly pushing their own products on us trappers.

The problem I find Is all the work you put into something and then find that Is just doesn't measure up.

In my opinion It's all about location. If your spot on location then just about anything will get a critter to stop for a look see. Or if you have a large concentration of the target species.

I trapped coyotes In 70s In WI I sucked at It because we had very few coyotes. I went to MS and became an over night success when It came to trapping coyotes. When you have lots of coyotes working your sets your bound to catch some. LOL
But I will say this my buddy used a certain lure and It sucked I used Camens lures and was very successful.

Your right about location. The way I see it's all about percentages, location, attractant, trap kill area, guiding, etc. etc.. If your right on location you just upped your percentage of a catch enormously. The bait or attractant will or should up your % even more if the animal is hungry or even curious enough to work the set.

If you know you are on location and everything is equal as possible and you are using a bait that works 75% of the time and you think maybe you could up that percentage to 80 or 85% wouldn't you try it? Wouldn't it be worth a try? To me it's all about getting all the little things, (percentages) as close to 100% as possible. No rocket science or magic involved.

Up to this point I have used commercial baits and bait solutions so yes I have let the testing up to the bait makers and have enough confidence in them to use without testing. Some work better than others, some worked great one year then were only mediocre the next year and a different bait shined. So with all that said I've heard enough good things about bacon I can't see a good reason to at least give it a shot. Too many coon are what worry me the most about bacon.

Maybe some people enjoy learning new things.

Your 100% right just look at all trappers making their own lure and bait.
I've found a very effective bait and a very effective lure that works just fine. No need for me to go looking for the magic elixir.

I get that, too. I don’t know how many people are trying to find the magic elixir vs. just trying to see if they can succeed at fooling the animals, too.

and id be willing to bet theres not a pro out there that's done the same more then once

Sums it up, and isn't hard at all. If you want to achieve something, you can only follow and sheep it for so long. At some point you need to lead and figure things out for yourself and on your own. If it doesn't pan out, then it doesn't pan out. It sure beats asking for results from people on whether or not something is going to work for you without you ever trying it out and gathering your own opinion. What doesn't work for the "pros" on the forum may be the "banger" for you. The rabbit hole is a deep one if you start to believe you need 40 years in a room with a chemistry set to make bait and lure.

I think the word Pro is widely over used. There is a difference of buying a name and buying a good bait.I wish some would offer a refund and stand behind their name. I have a gallon from 2 different makers I would like to return.

I have experimented for 40 some years In trying to come up with the lure/ bait combo that works for my system and my location. Guess what I found It and I never screwed around making my own. I just kept buying ready made baits and lures till I found the right combination.
Work smarter not harder I let the other lure and bait makers do the work for me. I'm betting I came out way ahead of the game by doing so. But that's just me.

I did make up some salted fish coon bait that worked very well. And when It comes to fish oil you can't beat ready made out of the store.

You’ll never work a day in your life if you enjoy what you do. I’m just saying some folks look at lure and bait making as another facet of trapping and they enjoy it. They aren’t trying to make it a competition, they’re just trying to learn more about a different aspect of trapping. It’s nearly impossible for you to quantify “coming out way ahead” by buying bait and lure for 40 years compared to trying to make your own because the outcome is immeasurable. If I mix something up and catch a single animal with it, it’s worth more to me than playing roulette with store bought products. It’s like tying flies or making arrows. The satisfaction lies merely in a small success.

To each his own, but just realize not everyone is trying to make a BETTER lure/bait than the commercially available stuff - some folks are just happy to open up another corner of the trapping world and learn more about it all.

Although, I can’t help but wonder if you might have found a combo that works prior to the 40 year mark if you’d started making your own within the first few years and had 100% control over what you were using...

I'm with you 100% if it's what trips your trigger go for It.

I have One exceptional bait that I use It was made by Rich Kasper. We did a barter thing where I furnished the dogs for his 660s and he gave me 6 gallons of his bait. I'm down to 3 now. And since Rich Is out of the bait making business when It's gone I'm out of luck.

Have to take into consideration that there are names and products out there on the big stage solely due to who they know, not what they know and what kind of product they put out. Goes back to how valuable is a "commercially prepared proven, tested and tried formula" if it isn't doing what it was designed to do for the individual using it, verses a "home brew" that is performing well and beyond expectations and doing it on a consistent basis? The Beav you thinking about hanging it up once that gold is gone?

That's one of the main reasons I make my own using things that never change or become hard to obtain. Not to mention I enjoy doing it.Great granda pa always said boy be good at as many things as possible. The more you rely on others the more often you fail.

Well I'm 80 know so by time those 3 gallons are gone I'll most likely be In the old folks home or will have passed on. If I have any left I'll leave It In my will to some T man member. LOL
A little bit of this bait goes a long ways and It's just getting better with age just like me. LOL

A lot of the commercial baits these days have so much ingredients added that they could be considered a bait lure combination. Sometimes Imo it gets to the point where the bait is barely edible or not appealing even to a coyote.

Beav, didn't someone take over RKs bait making?

I heard some one did but who knows If the person Is using the same formula.

Keep the bacon grease for your Tea Blos.

What's a tea blos?

I've heard that sometimes 2 people can use the same formula and the end result may not be the same.

# 1 , of course they are not The Same .

# 2 , your Mother told you that , she & you can be going by The Same recipe / formula , But guess which one is going to be The Best ? your Mothers' recipe / formula of course , you can't beat Mothers' hand .

It's possible with time and patience the the new bait could be as good as the original. If the quality of the ingredients are the same. My glass is half full. Lol

Well I'm quite sure that the bait can't be duplicated. Because according to my buddy Rich he got a deceased African lion from a local zoo. Is there any chance Rich may have been pulling my leg. LOL

I don't know about the lion thing, but baits and lures can be duplicated IFFFFFFF

Over the shoulder instructions are given and followed, same sources are used for the ingredients and ingredient preparations are the same.

Rich told me the same thing about the lion. He had been buying 5 gallon buckets of froze bobcat meat up till he got that lion. Then he didn't for awhile lol. I didn't buy any. He come's up with different stuff all the time. heck of a metal fabricator and welder too. You need to get back in that van and start making laps again rich.

I agree Paul. If someone mirrors someone long enough and they get enough time working formulas alone with supervision and don't start cutting corners and get lazy things should come out pretty close.

Its the instinctive years of learning the details that you don't or cant teach another that comes from many years working this trade that can be left out at times. How to wing it so to speak if needed.

I thought that smell WAS you!

you've always been my favorite member, here...[hint, hint!]

your In the will. LOl

Tea blos is a northern trappers breakfast or trail food when he needs energy,something to stick with him for a few hours and doesn't have time to cook.
Mug of hot black tea-spoon of flour and spoon of bacon grease.Mmmmmmmmmmmm good.

So is the bacon grease added for energy or taste?